Boat orchid Cymbidium rose
Cymbidium flower
Boat orchid flower (Cymbidium)
Young flowers of Cymbidium (boat orchid)
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Cymbidium orchid, the boat orchid
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
With over 28,000 species, the orchid family is one of the largest in the plant kingdom. Of the 760 or so genera, Cymbidium comprises 50 species native to the mountains of Asia and thousands of hybrids. Botanical varieties and cultivars are prized for their longevity and ease of care.
How to recognize a Cymbidium orchid?
Cymbidium orchids are epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial plants. They measure from 30 cm to one meter in all directions. Their alternate, sheathing leaves form a spherical pseudobulb.
The flowering stem emerges from this evergreen foliage. It supports the flowers, grouped in clusters. The flower spikes rise, curve or cascade. The flowers of botanical varieties reach a diameter of thirteen centimetres. To facilitate cultivation in pots and indoors, biologists have developed miniature hybrids, such as cymbidium Sarah Jean, whose flowers are no larger than eight centimetres.
Unlike phalaenopsis hybrid, Cymbidium has identical, slender, fleshy petals and sepals. Only the three-lobed labellum differs in shape. Flowers are usually brown, yellow or orange. But there are also Cymbidium orchids with white, green or violet inflorescences.
Cymbidium orchids are non-toxic to pets and humans alike. Some chefs even use its petals in cooking.
Our maintenance tips
Cymbidium orchids are well suited to the temperature of our homes. But if you have a conservatory or veranda, install your plant there. It will flower more abundantly and for longer than in a heated room.
Watering
The plant should be watered when the surface of the root ball is dry (about one centimeter deep).
Cymbidium orchids tolerant of slightly hard water. You can water them with tap water. If the water is chlorinated, let it stand for 24 hours before use.
Water abundantly with water at room temperature. The amount of liquid should correspond to the size of the root ball.
Drain off any stagnant water in the saucer or planter. It could rot the roots.
Spray
Fogging helps to increase humidity and prevent attacks by mites or red spiders. Spray foliage with non-calcareous water at room temperature.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Cymbidium to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
Cymbidium orchids hate change and like to be cramped. Re-pot only when roots and pseudobulbs have colonized the pot.
Choose a deep pierced plastic pot. Its diameter and height should be greater than those of the old container. Prepare a mixture of potting soil for flowering plants (two-thirds) and bark (one-third). You can also use a commercially available orchid mix. Fill the bottom of the pot with a layer of substrate and tamp down.
Remove your Boat orchid from its container. If the plant is difficult to dislodge, don't force it. Instead, cut the plastic with scissors. Remove the substrate, loosen the roots and remove any dead bulbs.
Try to identify the front of the plant (where new shoots form) from the back. Plant your specimen with the back of the plant against the pot. This will give the new bulbs more room to grow. Fill in with substrate up to the bulb's limit.
Don't water for a month after repotting. Just mist the substrate to keep it moist. When new roots appear, you can resume watering from above.
Fertilization
Fertilize your plant all year round, except in midsummer.
Add orchid fertilizer to watering water. You can alternate between a growth fertilizer and a bloom fertilizer.
Prune
After flowering, cut off wilted flowering stems at the base. You can do this by hand or with a clean, sharp tool such as secateurs or scissors.
Cutting
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
When dividing your plant, always keep at least three healthy pseudobulbs per plant.
After cleaning the roots, separate the pseudobulbs. You can use clean secateurs or your hands.
Prepare a deep pierced pot. Fill the bottom with a mixture of potting soil and bark. You can also use a commercially available orchid mix. Place your cutting against one side of the pot, to leave room in front for future pseudobulbs. Fill with substrate and tamp down.
Stop watering and fertilizing for a month. Mist the soil with water to keep it moist.
Diseases / Threats
Information
| Family | Orchids - Orchidaceae |
| Type | Boat orchid - Cymbidium |
| Species | Boat orchid - Cymbidium |
| Lifecycle | Perennial |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Exposure | |
| Substrat | |
| Planting methods |
In pots In tubs |
| Categories | |
| Tag |
Flowery |
| Origins |
East Asia Southeast Asia |
| Hardiness (USDA) | 11a |
| Leaf color |
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| Flower colors |
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